He probably will, but I've never seen anything in JJ to suggest he is SL standard, rather player a young kid.

Wynne for me deserves to start and Griffin in the backrow gives us some size to what looks like the world's smallest bavkrow.

But you are probably right Hodgson will more likely go with that backrow.

Saints are missing Grace, with question marks over Percival (HIA) and Hopoate (rib cartilage injury, came off with 5 to go against Catalan). Assuming both are out;

Welsby
Martyn Hurrell Simm Makinson
Lomax Dodd
Walmsley Roby Lees
Mata’utia Batchelor
Knowles

Lussick Sironen Paasi LMS

Or we could see Simm Hurrell Mata’utia Makinson with Sironen coming into the second row and Foster/Wingfield/Amor coming onto the bench (probably more likely I would guess, though I would like to see Martyn given the chance)

Quote ="Magic Superbeetle"Saints are missing Grace, with question marks over Percival (HIA) and Hopoate (rib cartilage injury, came off with 5 to go against Catalan). Assuming both are out; Welsby Martyn Hurrell Simm Makinson Lomax Dodd Walmsley Roby Lees Mata’utia Batchelor Knowles Lussick Sironen Paasi LMS Or we could see Simm Hurrell Mata’utia Makinson with Sironen coming into the second row and Foster/Wingfield/Amor coming onto the bench (probably more likely I would guess, though I would like to see Martyn given the chance)'" Cheers - looks like both will be fine, so same again for you? https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/19 ... l-fc-trip/

Quote ="Magic Superbeetle"Saints are missing Grace, with question marks over Percival (HIA) and Hopoate (rib cartilage injury, came off with 5 to go against Catalan). Assuming both are out; Welsby Martyn Hurrell Simm Makinson Lomax Dodd Walmsley Roby Lees Mata’utia Batchelor Knowles Lussick Sironen Paasi LMS Or we could see Simm Hurrell Mata’utia Makinson with Sironen coming into the second row and Foster/Wingfield/Amor coming onto the bench (probably more likely I would guess, though I would like to see Martyn given the chance)'" Cheers - looks like both will be fine, so same again for you? https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/19 ... l-fc-trip/

Savelio and Connor where both injury doubts last week, so I can se why club didn't appeal the bans not that I would appeal Savelio's anyway as his was justified IMO. Give's them more time to recover just a shame Dre misses Salford.

To be honest I was surprised Leeds actually appealed as it was unlikely even for Leeds to get Bentleys ban reduced. Think this is the reason why we probably didn't appeal Jakes ban as opposed to Savelios ban as can have little complaint on his.

I can't decide if Leeds missing Bentley hinders or improves them

I know Johnstone has not taking the chances he been given to prove he's up to SL standard etc but to be honest I thought he actually did ok stepping in at 13 against Wakefield. Though his inclusion may well have been out of necessity with the Carlos and Griffin not making the 17. If both are fit along with Shaul I'd be tempted to drop Scott to the bench with Griff in 2nd row, leave Wynn in the centre and Carlos back in at centre and Shaul in at FB and maybe move Lovodua to 13 with Johnstone on the bench to spell Houghton and/or Lovodua.

Probably his best game for us.

That wouldn't be too hard, not a bad defender, but offers nothing going forward.

I just don't think he is good enough for SL and would rather play a young kid on the bench.

That's why we struggle when we get a few injuries. Are there any young prospects who are ready or good enough for the first team at present? A good example was last weekend. I'm not saying Burrell will not make a SL player but Hodgson doesn't trust him now otherwise he would have brought him on. For all the investment in the academy over the last few years the number of players that have established themselves in the first team is very disappointing.

I think Leeds, Wigan and Saints would. We have to trust them and see how they go, a few were bigger up in pre season so have one on the bench and give them 20 minutes.

I'm sure Burrell would have played the last 10 minutes had Connor not been sent off.

Houghtons never offered anything going forward

Yet has been one of our highest earners for last 5 years


J
Joe has done more attacking threat in 1 match than Houghton and Johnstone put together

Your Houghton comment is total nonsense, up until recently his was a real threat running from a quick play of the ball.

Always set up some good trys in the 2016/17 season.

Without doubt we need much more youth coming through, and hopefully this boost in the academy and reserves with Shenny, the guy from Warry, hopefully will move us into a better place with our youngsters. If you include Wynne, and Walker, who have both shown up quite well, then possibly Litten and Severs, Burrel and Macca, slowly, we’re heading in the right direction at last.

Based on the assumption Shaul is fit, my thoughts would be:

Shaul, Swift, Wynne, Carlos, Mcintosh, Reynolds, Gale, Sao, Houghton, Fash, Griffin, Lane, Johnstone

Bench: Satae, Brown, Lovodua, Scott

Would personally go for Griffin at second row over Scott purely due to size. Saints are huge, feel like griffin would go better against a bigger pack. Wouldn’t snub my nose at lovodua starting at LF after his performance on Sunday.

Good call. My only doubts would be Griffin playing in the pack on sticky ground after serious leg injury? Like to see him at centre to ease his self in.

when Hodgson puts young kids on the bench they get little or no game time

I agree having a second row of Lane,Scott and Johnstone at 13 is a bit frightening.
There are bigger forwards playing in the Womens league

It was the same for Mcintosh and Reynolds on an even worse pitch at Wakefield.
Dont think we have an option but to use the bigger player in the middle.
As i said the thought of Lane,Scott and Johnstone together as the starting second row is frightening from a size point of view

Satae needs to start for me and match Walmsley minute for minute, can’t let them run riot down the middle from the off

Quote ="Mrs Barista"Cheers - looks like both will be fine, so same again for you? https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/19 ... l-fc-trip/'" Shows what I know! Same again it is I would suspect though we may use Sironen slightly more this week, he only got 20 minutes last week having missed most of preseason trapped in Italy self isolating …

Quote ="Mrs Barista"Cheers - looks like both will be fine, so same again for you? https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/19 ... l-fc-trip/'" Shows what I know! Same again it is I would suspect though we may use Sironen slightly more this week, he only got 20 minutes last week having missed most of preseason trapped in Italy self isolating …

No Carlos

Shaul in, Carlos still out. and still no Bowden.

Reading HDM it doesn't sound too promising that Shaul will make it as it says hopefully he'll be fit enough? I know its only HDM but not worth risking a player if he ain't fit.

21 man squad:

Adam Swift, Josh Griffin, Darnell McIntosh, Josh Reynolds, Luke Gale, Ligi Sao, Danny Houghton, Chris Satae, Jordan Lane, Joe Lovodua, Brad Fash, Ben McNamara, Jack Brown, Jordan Johnstone, Connor Wynne, Cameron Scott, Mitieli Vulikijapani, Marcus Walker, Aidan Burrell, Jamie Shaul, Charlie Severs

If Shaul is fit and plays then I'd go

Shaul
Swift
Wynn
Scott
McIntosh
Reynolds
Gale
Sao
Houghton
Satae
Lane
Griffin
Lovodua

Fash
Brown
Johnstone (simply as he can spell cover both 9 or 13)
Mitch or Walker (possibly even Severs but not sure he's ready for a St's test)

Think BH will likely start with Johnstone at 13 though.

Think we need to start both Sao & Satae or we risk being overrun from the off against an almost full strength St's.
I'd also prefer to see Lovodua start at 13 as he showed and offered a real threat in attack abd was solid defensively.. Although not ideal I think Griff needs to go in to the 2nd which is very light weight without Mau & Savelio. A lot depends on if Shaul actually makes it in to the 17.

Stick a few kids out there. It will be a great experience for them to play against the best team in the country in such an emotional match for us on national television.

I think Sao will be pitched against Walmsley; for me he was tremendous at Wakefield and looked to hunt their forwards with real venom and aggression, but it will take a Herculean effort from the rest of the squad to hold Saints to a respectable score, such is their quality across the park. J J really had a dig at Wakefield and he surprised me but this is a huge leap in terms of power and quality. Against Catalans, they were relentless from minute one to minute eighty and I expect they'll be the same against us. As long as they all leave the pitch, with nothing left to give, I'll take that, especially in the emotionally charged atmosphere given Johnny Whiteley's sad passing.

Damage limitation, big effort and no injuries. Wouldn't risk anyone with a knock, rather play young kids.